The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is set to be inaugurated on April 19, marking the completion of the 272-km railway project. This long-awaited milestone will enhance connectivity in the region, providing year-round rail access to Kashmir. The project, which began in 1997, faced significant delays due to the challenging Himalayan terrain, but has now been completed in phases.
The Kashmir Vande Bharat train, specially designed for extreme winters, comes equipped with advanced heating systems and defrosting windshields to ensure smooth operations in sub-zero temperatures. The train will pass through some of India’s most stunning landscapes, including the Chenab Bridge, which stands 359 meters above sea level, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge.
Developed at an estimated cost of INR 37,000 crore, the USBRL project is a major engineering achievement, involving the construction of 943 bridges and 36 tunnels, including T-50, India’s longest railway tunnel (12.7 km). The terrain required ballast-less tracks, tunnels through deep gorges, and state-of-the-art railway infrastructure to ensure safe and efficient travel.
With the final Sangaldan-Katra section now operational, the Kashmir rail link is expected to transform travel in the region, making it more accessible and reliable. This project is not only a technological feat but also a symbol of India’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure in remote areas. The inauguration will mark a new era of seamless railway connectivity for Kashmir.
